By Clyde Mooney
A Sydney Morrning Herald investigation has revealed that former AHA lobbyist, Brian Ross, was mistakenly appointed to a position in the Casino, Liquor & Gaming Control Authority.
A code of conduct introduced by the new O’Farrell government in June bans such appointments to government boards if the individual has lobbied in that area in the past year.
The NSW cabinet approved the appointment within weeks of Ross completing duties at a company that he confirmed was retained by the hotels association.
A probity check brought the conflict to light, with an officer directly querying Ross over the matter.
Ross is reputed to have replied ‘I have never been a lobbyist’.
Barry O’Farrell also denies prior knowledge of the contradiction to his own legislation, preferring to “leave that to the ICAC to get to the bottom of the matter.”